‘Minor to moderate’ flooding expected

April 14, 2014

As a flood watch continues for the local area, directors of emergency services for Franklin and Essex counties are warning of minor to moderate flooding.

There has been some minor flooding already, such as at Saranac Lake's busy intersection of Lake Flower Avenue, River Street and Brandy Brook Avenue. However, Kevin Pratt, chief water and sewer operator for the village of Saranac Lake, said that for the most part things appear to be normal.

"This morning we are 10 inches over (Lake Flower dam) spillways, which is not alarming at all," Pratt said. "Normally I like to keep it 6 inches over spillway."

Article Photos

There are about 2 inches of water on the intersection of River Street, Lake Flower Avenue and Brandy Brook Avenue Sunday afternoon.(Enterprise photo — Matthew Turner)

Pratt said 10 inches is typical for this time of the year when the snow melts. Flood gate water levels are also normal for this time of year, Pratt said.

"There is a little bit going over the road right now," Pratt said. "A couple inches going over in a few spots on Moose Pond Road (in Bloomingdale)."

Pratt said Moose Pond Road is located on a low spot and is usually one of first places to flood. Pratt is also checking other roads regularly, coordinating his efforts with Franklin County emergency services and state Department of Environmental Conservation.

---

Franklin County

Ricky Provost, the emergency services director for Franklin County, said minor flooding is occurring in the county.

"I talked to the highway superintendent this morning, and he said there are a couple spots," Provost said. "We have minor runoff flooding throughout the county. We've had some isolated issues, but nothing major at this point in time."

Provost said they are keeping an eye on possible rain and the water levels. It's expected to rain about an inch-and-a-half over the next 24 hours.

"On the northern end (of the county), probably the worst of it's over," Provost said.

County Route 14 in the town of Duane, also known as Red Tavern Road, was flooded yesterday. There were about 3 inches of water in the road.

"Yesterday afternoon it was down to one lane," he said.

---

Essex County

Don Jaquish, Essex County's emergency services director, said there could be "moderate to minor" flooding in areas like Keene, Keene Valley and AuSable Forks. However, he said he had not heard of any flooding occurring over the weekend in Essex County.

---

Around the North Country

The National Weather Service says the Black River in Watertown in Jefferson County has surpassed its 10-foot flood stage and is expected to rise to just over 11 feet. Meteorologists say moderate to more extensive flooding could occur if the river reaches 12 feet.

In neighboring St. Lawrence County, flood waters from Black Lake covered some roads and inundated the lawns at some residences and seasonal camps, but no evacuations have been reported.

Flood watches have been issued for a region stretching from Oswego County on Lake Ontario's eastern end to the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain's western shore.